Combination valve for oxygen converters



Jan. 30, 1962 J. w. KECKLER COMBINATION VALVE FOR OXYGEN CONVERTERS Filed May 5, 1958 v /N VENT OR ATTORNEYS nited States Ohio Filed May 5, 1958, Ser. No. 732,879 12 Claims. (Cl. 6255) This invention relates to an improved valve construction and more particularly to a valve having two sets of ports which may be opened and closed simultaneously with a single actuating means. Valve of this type find use in various devices. The particular construction shown and described herein is useful as a combination filler, vent and build-up valve in a liquid oxygen converter system.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a valve having two sets of ports separated from each other by a partition within the body, each set having a single valve member including an actuating means which permits simultaneous operation of both valve members.

Another object is to provide a valve for a liquid oxygen converter system which permits filling and venting the liquid container when the filler nozzle connecting with the liquid source of supply is in operative position and which automatically closes the filler inlet and the vent when the nozzle is in inoperative position In a preferred form of the invention the valve has two separate chambers, the first having two ports and the second three ports. A spring-biased valve member in the first chamber controls the filler inlet to the liquid phase (bottom) of the container and a spring-biased double-acting valve member in the second chamber controls communication between the gas phase (top) of the container and the vent or the build-up circuit of the oxygen system. The double-acting valve is normally biased to the position in which the gas phase communicates with the build-up circuit. When it is desired to fill the container, a specially designed nozzle engaged with the end of the filler conduit opens the valve member in the first chamber by depressing the valve member against the force of thev spring to permit liquid to flow into the container. Simultaneously, a shaft extending between the two valve members shifts the double-acting valve, thereby venting the container during filling. Upon removm of the nozzle, both valve members are returned by springs to normal position.

Another object is to provide a valve of this type which is rugged and capable of continuous operation without malfunctioning at temperatures in the range of -297 F. to +260 F.

These and other objects will become apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic view of a liquid oxygen converter utilizing the valve of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through the valve; and

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to that of FIGURE 2 showing the nozzle engaging the valve in filling position.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, the container is of the insulated type suitable for maintaining liquefied gases at very low temperatures over a relatively long period of time. Normally, the liquefied gas in the container assumes two phases, the liquid and the gaseous phase, as noted in the drawing. The liquid phase communicates with the valve A through an outlet line 12 and the gaseous phase communicates with the valve A through conduit 18. Conduit 12 connects to the port 34 shown in FIGURE 2 and conduit 18 connects to the port 82. A line 14 comprising part of the supply circuit branches from the outlet conduit 12. The build-up circuit inatent eludes the conduits 18, 20 and the coil B. One end of the conduit 20 connects to the port 84 of valve A. The other end connects with the pressure closing valve C. The coil B connects to conduit 20 through pressure closing valve C at one end and to the supply line 14 at the other end. Excess pressure in the build-up circuit is relieved through pressure opening valve D. Safety valve E and check valve F maintain a pressure differential between the build-up and supply circuits.

When the unit is operating, liquid oxygen flows from the line 12 through the conduit 14 to the demand. In order to insure flow of liquid from the container, gaseous pressure is applied on the top of the liquid through the conduit 13. This pressure is exerted by gas generated in the coil B which flows through the line 20, valve A and conduit 18 to the gaseou phase in the upper portion of the container 10. When the pressure reaches a predetermined maximum, valve C closes, thus providing the correct system pressure.

The ports 68 and 34 in the left end of the valve A serve to conduct liquid to the container through the conduit 12 during filling. While the filling operation is in progress the upper portion of the container is vented through the line 18, port 82 and port 86 of the valve A. Port 86 communicates with the atmosphere. Normally, the communication between ports 68 and 34 is closed, as is the communication between ports 82 and 86. The only passage through the valve when the system is in operation is from port 84 to port 82 to permit functioning of the pressure build-up circuit.

Referring now to the details of the valve A, it will be noted that the valve has an elongated body 30 which is divided into two sections by means of a transverse wall or partition 32 containing a sealed opening 33, the purpose of which will become apparent hereinafter. The ports 34 and 68 which have to do with filling are on the left side of the partition and the remaining ports are on the right side of the partition, as viewed in FIGURE 2. A central chamber is located within the body above the port 86, an outer chamber 44 is located to the left of partition 32., and an inner chamber 88 is located to the right of opening 101. As indicated, flow port 34, which is internally threaded to receive the conduit 12, connects with the liquid phase of the container. Port 34 also communicates with the port 68, which comprises part of the filling adaptor 60, through opening 46 and fill port 48. Opening 46 extends angularly through valve housing 30 to the chamber 44. A cup-like insert 38 screws into the right end of chamber 44, and seals against the ring 43 and gasket 41 hearing against the partition 32 surrounding the opening 33. The interior wall 40 of the insert serves as a bearing for the valve member 50 disposed for axial movement within the insert. Valve member 50 seats against the resilient ring 42 in the adaptor 60, and terminates at its right end in a hollow cylinder 52 which slides within the opening 40 to center the valve member with respect to the seat 42. The left end of the valve member terminates in an operating or actuating stem 58 which extends well into the port 68. The stem carries a rectangular head 35. A coil spring 56 bears against the underside of the valve member 50 and against a seat provided therefor on the insert 38, normally to bias the valve 50 to closed position against the seat 42. A rod or second operating stem 59 slides axially in bearing 37 in the bottom of insert cup 38 and extends into the hollow cylinder 52. The end of rod 59 contacts the underside of the valve member 50. In the other direction the rod extends through opening 33 in partition 32 and connects with the double-acting valve member 92 in the right-hand end of the valve housing. A seal bellows 61 surrounds rod 59 and is sealed to ring 43 at one end and to the rod at the other end. It is preferably made from brass since it must be operable as a flexible seal for rod 59 at temperatures in the vicinity of 295 F. The bellows prevents any fluid from chamber 44 passing through opening 33.

The filler fitting or adaptor 60 is secured to flange 62 of the body by means of screws 63. A resilient O-ring 66 seals the adaptor against the flange 62. A ring 67 screws into the right end of adaptor 60 to lock the ring or valve seat 42 in place against inner flange surrounding opening 48. The left end of the adaptor forms the port or filler opening 68 which narrows down at its right end to the size of opening 48. An O-ring 70 is provided in the face of the port opening 68 to facilitate sealing of the end of the nozzle which fits into the filler opening when liquid is being passed through the valve.

A cap 72 closes the end of the adaptor when the valve is not being used to fill the container. The cap has an outer flange which slides freely over the outside diameter of the adaptor. An internal axially-extending flange 78 of smaller diameter has threads which screw onto the external threads 79 on the end of the adaptor. An O-riug 74 seals the end of the port 68 when the cap is in place. A chain 80 may be provided to prevent the cap from becoming separated from the valve when the filling is in progress. It will be apparent that when the valve member 50 is depressed by applying force to the actuating stem 58, commuication is established between the port 34 and the opening 48.

The opposite end of the valve has three ports, as previously indicated, all of which communicate with a central passage which is designated generally as 88. The gas port 82 connects to the conduit 18, pressure port 84 connects to the build-up circuit and the vent port 86 communicates with the atmosphere to serve as a vent. The right end of the valve body 30 has an internally threaded opening 103 which is restricted toward the left end where the inner chamber 88 communicates with the port 86 through the opening or by-pass port 101. In order to facilitate manufacture of the valve, the port 84 forms part of a hollow plug insert 90 which screws into the threaded opening 103. A gasket 112 seals the opening against leakage. A second valve member 92 is of the double-acting variety and has a central blind bore 91 extending thereinto from the left end. The valve member 92 is slidably mounted within the chamber 88 formed by the opening in the body and the opening in the insert 90 and seats against either of the resilient seats 100 and 105 at opposite ends of chamber 88. The bore 91 is adapted to receive an internally threaded sleve 97 screwed to the end of the actuating rod 59 which supports the valve member 92. A spring 93 is disposed within the bottom of the opening 91 in the valve member 92 to provide resilient force against the valve member when seated against seat 105. Normally, the valve member 92 is biased toward the left end of the valve body by embracing coil spring 108 and bears against the inner circumference of the seat 100. Spring 108 extends between the ring forming the seat 105 and the circumferential flange 89 on the valve member 92. A retaining ring 102 screws into the threaded opening 103 to hold the valve seat 100 in position. A similar ring 106 is provided in the other end of the chamber to secure seat 105. It will be apparent that by applying force to head 35 of valve member 50 the rod 59 is moved to the right, thereby unseating valve 92 from seat 100 and seating it against seat 105 against the force of spring 108.

The nozzle construction is best illustrated in FIGURE 3 and consists of a cylinder 135 and an outer casing 134 which are joined at the ends. Slidably mounted within the cylinder 135 is a central pipe 136 which is adapted to connect at its left end (not shown) to the conduit which leads to a source of the fluid to be introduced into the container 10. The pipe 136 is spring biased toward the right end of the nozzle by means of spring 137 which bears against the flange 139 projecting from the pipe. The pipe terminates in a bulbous nozzle member 138 which is shaped and sized to fit into the opening 68 comprising a portion of the adaptor 60. The nozzle 138 fits snugly within the opening and bears against the O-ring 70 to seal the opening against leakage. Slidably disposed within the opening of the pipe 136 is a piston member 140 which is smaller in diameter than the passageway through the nozzle 138. The piston member is supported by means of a coil spring 141 which bears against a shoulder (not shown) formed in the wall of the pipe 136. The piston 140 is adapted to engage the head 35 to depress the valve member 50, thus opening the filler valve. The casing 134, 135 locks into the end of the adaptor by means of a pair of bayonet pins 146 which cooperate with slots 148 formed in the outer wall of the adaptor. The spring 137 tends to cause the nozzle 138 to move forwardly with respect to casing 134, thus insuring a tight connection between the nozzle and the opening in the adaptor. When the nozzle is in fully engaged position, the rod 59 moves to the right and shifts valve member 92 so that port 86 is open and port 8 is closed.

It is believed that the operation of the device is apparent from the foregoing description. However, it may be desirable to outline briefly the manner in which the various elements function. When it is desired to fill the container 10 with liquid oxygen or other fluid, the cap 72 is removed from the left end of the valve A, thus exposing the adaptor 60. A nozzle such as that shown in FiGURE 3 or some other suitably constructed nozzle is connected to the adaptor by pushing it thereagainst and locking it to the valve body, as with the bayonet connection 146, 148. When this is done the piston 140 pushes against the head 35 of the stem 58, and moves the valve 50 from the position shown in FIGURE 2 to the position shown in FIGURE 3. Thus, liquid which flows through the pipe 136 passes through the annular space 142 surrounding the piston 140, past the rectangular head 35, through the opening 48, the opening 46 and out the port 34. Port 34, of course, connects with the conduit 12 through which the liquid flows into the container. Simultaneously with the opening of the valve 50 the rod 59 moves to the right to unseat the valve 92 from the seat 100, thus permitting the port 82 to communicate with port 86. Consequently, as liquid enters the container, gas, air or other substance in the top of the container flows through the conduit 18 into the port 82 and out the vent 86. When the valve 92 is removed from the seat it is pushed against the seat to close oil? the port 84. The force required to compress spring 93 is greater than that required to compress spring 108. Therefore, as the force is applied to the rod 59, the valve member 92 moves toward the right, as viewed in FIGURE 2, to first compress spring 108. As soon as the right end of the valve member 92 engages the seat 105, additional force is used to compress spring 93, thus keeping the valve seated under the compressive force of the spring. It will be obvious that when the port 84 is closed off, the only means of escape for material flowing through the line 18 is through vent 86.

As soon as liquid spews out of the vent 86, the container is full. The nozzle is then immediately removed from the end of the adaptor on the fitting which permits the spring 108 to push the valve member 92 toward the left and close off the opening to vent port 86. This now puts the port 82 in communication with the port 84 which leads to the pressure build-up circuit. Consequently, the pressure that is generated in the build-up circuit due to evaporation of liquid in the coil B is exerted in the reverse direction through line 20, valve A and conduit 18 to the vapor phase in the container 10. It will also be noted that immediately upon removal of the nozzle the valve 50 is again seated to close off the opening 48 by action of the spring 56.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made in the construction of the valve. Although one particular form of the valve and the nozzle construction cooperating therewith has been shown for purposes of illustration, it is not my intention to limit the invention to this construction. Modifications can be made in the particular manner in which the nozzle engages the valve and the manner in which the various valve members are actuated. It will also be apparent that a single-acting two-port valve may be used in some instances rather than the double-acting three-port valve shown in the drawing. The number of ports and the construction of the valve member cooperating therewith are determined primarily by the use to which the valve is put.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A valve comprising an elongated body, a pair of interconnecting ports near one end of said body, the first port of said pair extending axially of the body and terminating at said one end in a filler opening, sealing means surrounding said opening for cooperation with an external nozzle engaging said opening, a first valve member for closing the connection between said ports normally being biased to closed position toward said one end, said first valve member having an actuating stem disposed Within said first port for engaging said external nozzle, a pair of interconnecting ports within' said body near the other end thereof, a second valve member for closing the connection between said second pair of ports, an actuating rod mounted for axial movement within said body and in compression between said first valve member and said second valve member, and means for normally biasing said second valve member toward said one end and compressing said rod, whereby said external nozzle when connected to said first port will engage said actuating stem and simultaneously move both said first and said second valve members against their biasing forces.

2. A valve comprising an elongated body, a pair of interconnecting ports near one end of said body, the first port of said pair extending axially of the body and terminating at said one end in a filler opening including means for cooperation with an external nozzle engaging said opening, a valve member for closing the connection between said ports normally being biased to closed position toward said one end, said valve member having an actuating stem disposed within said first port for engaging said external nozzle, a second pair of interconnecting ports within said body near the other end thereof and separated from said first pair of ports by a partition having a bore therethrough, a second valve member for closing the connection between said second pair of ports, said second valve member normally being biased toward said one end, an actuating rod extending between said second valve member and said first valve member through said bore, and a seal bellows surrounding the space between said actuating rod and said bore, whereby said external nozzle when connected to said first port through said filler opening will engage said actuating stem and simultaneously move both said first and second valve members against their biasing forces.

3. The valve of claim 2 wherein said second valve member has a blind opening to receive one end of said actuating rod, and a coil spring disposed within said opening and bearing against said end of the actuating rod.

4. A valve comprising an elongated body, one end of said body having a first port opening toward said one end and a second port communicating therewith through a passageway, a first valve member disposed in said passageway for closing and opening said passageway, said valve being normally biased to closed position and having an acauting stem within said first port for engaging an external nozzle when said nozzle is in sealing contact with said first port opening, the other end of said body having a third, fourth and fifth port interconnected by means of a common chamber within said other end, said chamber having a pair of opposed seats formed in outlets to said fourth and fifth ports, a second double-acting valve member slidably disposed within said chamber between said seats for alternately closing said fourth and fifth ports, said valve member normally being biased toward said one end, and an actuating rod extending axially of said body, said rod being secured to said second valve member at one end and adapted to engage said first valve member when said first valve member is moved away from said first port, whereby said external nozzle when connected to said first port will engage said actuating stem to open said first port and simultaneously engage said actuating rod to move said second valve member against its biasing force.

5. The valve of claim 4 wherein both said valve members are biased toward said one end by means of coil springs.

6. The valve of claim 4 wherein said first port has a tapered opening with a resilient sealing ring therein for receiving the end of said nozzle and forming a leak-tight joint bv compression.

7. The valve of claim 4 wherein said second port connects with the liquid phase of a container comprising part of a liquid converter system, said container carrying volatile liquid, said third port connects to the gaseous phase of said container, said fourth port connects with an evaporating coil comprising part of said system and said fifth port connects to the atmosphere.

8. A valve of the character referred to including an elongate body defining three longitudinally spaced chambers, there being an inner chamber, a central chamber and an outer chamber, a pressure port, a gas port and a bv-pass port communicating with said inner chamber, said bv-pass port establishing communication between said inner and central chambers, a vent port communicating with said central chamber, a fiow port and a fill port communicating with the outer chamber, a valve member in the outer chamber to normally close the fill port and having a first operating stem projecting through said fill port to terminate at the exterior of the body, a second valve member in the inner chamber adapted to normally close the by-pass port and shiftably to close said pressure port, a second operating stem on said second valve member and extending into the outer chamber and said first stern also comprising an operating rod having an inner end engaging the stem of the second valve member.

9. A valve of the character referred to including, an elongate body defining an inner chamber, a central chamber and an outer chamber, a pres-sure port, a gas port and a by-pass port communicating with the inner chamber, said pressure and by-pass ports being in axial alignment and said by-pass port communicating with said central chamber, a vent port communicating with said central chamber, a flow port and a fill port communicating with the outer chamber, said fill port being in axial alignment with the pressure and the by-pass ports, a longitudinally shiftable valve member having a first operating stem in the outer chamber, means normally yieldingly urging the said valve member outwardly to close the fill port, said operating stem projecting outwardly through the fill port to terminate at the exterior of the body, a second longitudinally shiftable valve member in the inner chamber and adapted to be shifted into and out of engagement with the pressure and by-pass ports, means normally yieldingly urging said second valve member into engagement with said by-pass port, a second operating stern projecting forwardly from the second valve member through the central chamber and into the other chamber, said first stem also comprising an elongate operating rod having an inner end engaging the operating stem of said second valve member.

10. A valve of the character referred to including, an elongate, tubular body, having inner and outer ends, a head closing the inner end and having a pressure port therein, a head closing the outer end and having a fill port therein, a pair of longitudinally spaced partitions in the body and defining three chambers, there being an inner chamber and central chamber and an outer chamber, said body having a by-pass port to establish open communication between the inner and central chambers, said body having a lateral gas port communicating with the inner chamber, a lateral vent port communicating with the central chamber, and a lateral flow port communicating with the outer chamber, said pressure, bypass aud fill ports being in axial alignment, a longitudinally shiftable valve member having a first operating stem in the outer chamber, means normally yieldingly urging said valve member outwardly to close the fill port, said operating stern projecting outwardly through the fill port to terminate at the exterior of the body, a second longitudinally shiftable valve member in the inner chamber and adapted to be shifted into and out of engagement with the pressure and by-pass ports, means normally yieldingly urging said second valve member into engagement with said by-pass port, a second operating stem projecting forwardly from the second valve member through the central chamber, an opening in the partition between the central and the outer chambers, said first stem also comprising an elongate operating rod having an inner end engaging the operating stem of said second valve member.

11. A valve of the character referred to including, an elongate, tubular body, having inner and outer ends, a head closing the inner end and having a pressure port therein, a head closing the outer end and having a fill port therein, a pair of longitudinally spaced partitions in the body, and defining three chambers, there being an inner chamber and central chamber and an outer chamber, said body having a by-pass port to establish open communication between the inner and central chambers, said body having a lateral gas port communicating with the inner chamber, a lateral vent port communicating with the central chamber and a lateral flow port communicating with the outer chamber, said pressure, bypass and fill ports being in axial alignment, a longitudinally shiftable valve member having a first operating stern in the outer chamber, means normally yieldingly urging said valve member outwardly to close the fill port, said operating stem projecting outwardly through the fill port to terminate at the exterior of the body, a second longitudinally shiftable valve member in the inner chamber and adapted to be shifted into and out of engagement with the pressure and by-pass ports, means normally yieldingly urging said second valve member into engagement with said by-pass port, a second operating stem projecting forwardly from the second valve member through the central chamber, an opening in the partition between the central and the outer chambers, said first stem also comprising an elongate operating rod having an inner end engaging the operating stem of said second valve member, the pressure, gas, vent and flow ports each having pipe connecting means related thereto.

12. A valve of the character referred to including, an elongate body defining three longitudinally spaced chambers, there being an inner chamber, a central chamber and an outer chamber, a pressure port, a gas port and a by-pass port communicating with said inner chamber, said by-pass port establishing communication between said inner and central chambers, a vent port communicating with said central chamber, a flow port and a fill port communicating with the outer chamber, a valve member in the outer chamber to normally close the fill port and having a first operating stem projecting through said fill port to terminate at the exterior of the body, a second valve member in the inner chamber adapted to normally close the by-pass port and shiftably to close said pressure port, a second operating stem on said second valve member and extending into the outer chamber and said first stem also comprising an operating rod having an inner end engaging the stem-of the second valve member, and an operating coupling means adapted to connect a fluid conducting element with the filler port and shift the second valve member inwardly.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,084,707 Robinson June 22, 1937 2,351,140 McCloy June 13, 1944 2,565,872 Melsheimer Aug. 28, 1951 2,576,985 Wildhack Dec. 4, 1951 2,738,806 Reynolds Mar. 20, 1956 2,748,982 Copping June 5, 1956 2,753,692 Dickieson July 10, 1956 2,813,402 Poethig et al. Nov. 19, 1957 

